Today many Creators are labeled "Deniers".

This quote is timely, given some of the recent posts.

There is a continuum, from docilely going along with anything others say or do, as a second-hander, to being a total rebel against everything in the status quo, wanting to tear down everything others have built. Somewhere between those two extremes is the rational, free-willed individual who accepts what is already in place and beneficial, and changes or innovates what will make his/her own situation better and interact benevolently with others for mutual benefit.

Disagreeing does not have to mean endless battles. It means taking "first steps down new roads", or discovering new ideas and new knowledge. Pioneers in new technologies, inventors of new solutions to old problems, artists with new visions--their departures from the old and staid don't have to be hostile.

Disagreements in the service of creativity don't require kicking in others' teeth. It may just be taking the road less traveled to make all the difference. We just have to not limit the freedom for new thinkers to function. We are all their beneficiaries.

Random says there's no virtue in just being a contrarian. I agree, that's not what I take away from the quote. I think the quote means there's no value in regurgitating the party line.

This is important because learning usually starts with apparent contradictions: "wait, wait, that doesn't make sense." This goes for science, engineering, and public policy. The natural response is to ignore things that seem contradictory at first and say, "Oh yeah!!??", "Your mama", or "You're denying A=A". We naturally seek people to reinforce what we already think. The value comes from people thinking for themselves and communicating clearly what they think and why.

I'm the least agreeable person around. My wife gets embarassed everytime I decide to debate someones POV. Whether the subject deals with religion, politics, global warming, etc. I become very agressive in demolishing their ideas. If I can leave them in tears or total bewilderment all the better.
I find that most people hang on to their ideas with the thinest of threads. Their knowledge base is very superficial or they get their ideas from prejudicial website that has nothing to do with actual fact.
When I get on a roll I feel like I'm Shiva the Destroyer.

Very appropriate for the conversations on in the Gulch and I could not agree more. Thanks for sharing. I think I will add this to my screen saver roll.

Who is this supposed to apply to in the present
case? Cruz? He is blamed for not being amenable
to deals, not going along to get along. I consider
that a virtue.

This is yet one more powefull statement from Ayn.

Not enough information.
1. I am not familiar with the quote.
2. Creator of what? an idea, a product or creation?

However, I can definitively say that it is not a "virtue to agree with others".
Even when learning from an esteemed mentor, you first accept but question as to why, then check it out for your self. It is necessary if one is to "Own" that knowledge.

Paul Ryan needs to read that.

Well, we certainly have our share of 'creators'.

I don't have a Kindle, I'm an Apple guy. Will it work on Apple iBooks?

Agreement depends upon what is being agreed or disagreed upon. Rand liked making statements like that in order to throw a little cold water into the faces of complacent sleepers.

Bad quote out of context.

-1.